Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-04-28
THE PLATFORMS.
j.. II. Books Comparison of the
Different Platforms.

clusion of their merits, we ask
space for a consideration of the
same. For a multiplicity of words,
the platform of the National party
farexceeds that OF the Downing. In
the National platform there are
one hundred and ffty printed lines,
averaging six words to the line,
making nine hundred words. In
the Downing platform, there are
eighty printed lines averaging six
words to the line, making four
hundred and eighty words. There
are almost twice as many printed
lines in the National platform as
there are in the Downing, and
lacking only sixty being twice as
many words. There are twelve
provisions or "planks" in the Ma
tional, and ten in the Downing,
and twice as many promises" in
each provision or "plank of the
National as there are principles in
each Of the Downing. The first
section of the National, renews its
"6delity" to the existing form Of
government of the Cherokee peo-
pie, and promises to hand this
Fidelity" down unimpaired to
posterity, while the first section
Of the Downing party provides for
a submission to a majority rule in
elections, and an honest count Of
the votes. Now we don't blame
the National party tor a renewal
Of its "lidelity" to the existing
form of government, as this "hdel-
ity" has been greatly impaired
within the last two or three years
in more ways than one, and rather
Numerous to mention. A party
that is loyal TO a government never
affords an occasion for a renewal
of its obligations, and the duty it
owes TO the father Of its existence,
musters its courage and renews its
loyalty and tells the citizens that
in the future, it will sail under the
proud old banner it started under,
at the commencement of ita exist
ence, while instead Of having a
broken promise to renew, the
Downing party simply says in its
first "plank" that it will submit
to a majority rule in all elections,
and an honest count Of the vote.
The position, it takes in reference
to the first section shows that it
is perfectly willing to the submits
sion of a question, over which much
and dissatisfaction may
arise. Section second of the Ma
tional platform is rather a facial
one. That is, it seems that it is
generally conceded Of the part "
in power, that it will faithfully,
intelligently and impartially ad-
minister the law without an ex-
preston Of acknowledgment to
that effect, being incorporated into
its platform. And if the National
party has digressed SO far from
our aboriginal idea Of the admins
tration of law, certainly public at
tention should not be called to
that fact Chat is if they were try
ing to conceal it, by making it the
second "plank" Of a platform.
The second section Of the Down
ing platform provides that our
first and great object will he TO
maintain our present form Of gov
eminent, acknowledging a reali-
zation of the fact that an Indian
government is the only protection
for our race. These words are
indisputable and undeniable. An
Indian government is not the
only protection for Cherokees, but
for many Indian tribes. What has
become of all the other Indian
tribes that peopled this continent,
when Columbus first landed his
frail bark on our shores e? They
are almost extinct races to-day, be-
cause no Indian government ex-
tended around them the arms of
protection. A few remnant tribes
are scattered over the west, includ- |
ing the five tribes of this territory. |
The third section in the National |
IS an acknowledgment of the |
light Of possession, and jurisdic- |
ion over the lands west Of $50, /
iaving such tracts only as have |
already been, or shall be sold, /
n strict compliance with treaty |
md not otherwise appraised, paid ,
or and settled by friendly Indian
ribes, and 50 continue to be set
led thereafter and used in accord
ance with treaty. 1t also seeks TO
leiend and uphold the rights of
he nation, and Of all its citizens
against the trespasses and depreda-
ions and intrusions Of n0n-citi-
ems, by applying 10 the govern
nent for imposition ofproper PEN
ilties to restrain such wrong do
ng. A declaration from the Ma
ional party declaring our right
If possession and jurisdiction over
he lands west Of $50, is somewhat
1t with the lands east
# $50, Is included in the "patent"
which we received from the govern
nent, for which we gave a consid-
and it is very inappropri-
tie, as well as lack of proprie-
y on part OF the National party TO
ell its citizens that il belongs 10
hem, and that they have juris-
iiction over all Of it, only a few
racts sold for a specified purpose
mentioned in treaty. Such sounds
more like the talk Of child than
political party which has wis
lom in il. The third section in
he Downing platform fayors prog
'ess and the use of our resources
-nnliad 10 the hest aduanlnnn Of